**Popular Pieminister Pies Recalled Over ‘Unsafe to Eat’ Labelling Error**
Customers across the UK are being urged to check their fridges and freezers after an administrative error led to a major product recall involving a range of well-known Pieminister pies. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that several varieties of the popular brand, typically found on supermarket shelves and in independent retailers, have been incorrectly labelled with a use-by date of 24 June 2026 instead of the correct date, 24 June 2025.
The Bristol-based company confirmed that the mislabelled pies were produced recently at their own bakery and that, while the pies in question are safe up to the intended 2025 date, consuming them beyond that time frames poses the risk of serious food safety concerns. The erroneous labelling could potentially result in consumers unknowingly eating the pies over a year after they were considered safe.
In response to the situation, Pieminister has issued an apology, citing a “technical issue” at their facility that led to the printing of the inaccurate use-by year. A spokesperson for the pie manufacturer stated, “We take matters of food safety extremely seriously and are working diligently with our technical team to understand the root cause. Additional checks and safeguards have now been put in place to ensure similar incidents cannot happen again in future.”
Consumers who have purchased any of the affected pies, which display ‘24.06.2026’ on the side of their packaging, are advised not to consume them beyond 24 June 2025. The FSA has emphasised that food past its proper use-by date can rapidly deteriorate, becoming unsafe to eat even if it looks or smells acceptable.
The recall includes a wide selection of Pieminister’s most popular varieties. The specific products affected are:
– Pieminister Moo (British Beef Steak and Craft Ale Pie)
– Moo & Blue (Beef Steak with Stilton)
– Kate & Sidney (Beef Steak, Kidney and Craft Ale)
– Deer & Beer (Venison, Stout, Mushroom, and Thyme)
– Free Ranger (Chicken and Ham with Leek)
– Fungi Chicken (Chicken, Portobello and Chestnut Mushroom)
– Wild Shroom (Mushroom Pie with Asparagus and White Wine)
– Mooless Moo (Jackfruit ‘Steak’, Ale, and Black Pepper)
– Goat’s Cheese and Sweet Potato Filo Pie (with Red Onion and Spinach)
– Spinach and Feta Filo Pie (with Kale, Lemon and Dill)
Customers are being encouraged to return any affected products to the retailer where they were purchased for a full refund, regardless of whether they have a receipt. Guidance given by the FSA highlights that stores should accept the returns, and Pieminister has assured the public they are cooperating with stockists to manage the recall quickly and efficiently.
The blunder comes at a time of increased scrutiny over food labelling policies, with consumers increasingly vigilant about use-by dates due to concerns over both food safety and waste. Industry experts note that while mistakes of this kind are rare, they can have far-reaching consequences if not promptly addressed, especially in the context of perishable goods.
Shoppers seeking more information about the recall or needing advice have been directed to contact Pieminister directly or consult the Food Standards Agency website for current updates. Both retailers and consumers are reminded that proper labelling is essential for upholding trust in food supply chains and maintaining public health standards.
This incident has prompted renewed conversation within the food industry about the need for robust internal monitoring and quality assurance processes. It also underscores the importance of consumer vigilance when checking the packaging on perishable products. While Pieminister’s swift response appears to have limited any immediate health risks, the episode serves as a reminder that even trusted brands must remain diligent.
As investigations continue into how the error arose, the episode may well serve as a case study for how major food producers can learn and strengthen their safety practices in order to avoid similar mishaps in the future.